New polling data suggests a slim majority of SOWEGA voters will approve TSPLOST

The latest polling data commissioned by Connect Georgia shows that 51 percent of those polled in Southwest Georgia said they would vote yes on a one-percent sales tax referendum to fund transportation.

The results of the survey, which was done June 13 and 14 with 300 likely voters in Southwest Georgia, showed that 51 percent of those called are voting “Yes” on the sales tax referendum, with 12 percent undecided — well within the 5.7 percent margin of error.

The results, which were obtained by the Herald Thursday, also suggests that “Yes” votes from those callers who were given more information about the TSPLOST grew to 59 percent.

A similar study done in the Valdosta-centric Southern region shows that 48 percent of those surveyed said that they would vote “YES” on the referendum, with 13 percent undecided. After being given more information on the TSPLOST, that number rose to 57 percent.

In Southwest Georgia, surveyors noted that messages that most resonated with undecided callers were that the referendum would improve safety of local roads and bridges through repair or replacement and that the money raised in the region stays in the region for local projects.

In the Southern Georgia region, the main message that resonated with callers was that money would stay in the region followed by the message that the referendum would lead to safer roads and bridges.